The Responsibility of Being an Adult Caretaker

As my husband and I get older, we are starting to think more about the possibility of our parents’ declining health. We know that we may one day have to move one or more of them into our loving home. The responsibility of being an adult caretaker is tremendous. This is especially the case if you must tend to an aging loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. At times, you might feel like disciplining your relative like a child. However, you know that this action would not be practical or dignified. On this blog, you will learn ways to cope with this awesome responsibility of caring for an adult loved one.

The 3 Major Phases Of The Adoption Process

Posted on:
18 March 2015

Adoption is one of the most selfless and rewarding forms of parenthood that any adult can experienc, and is a wonderful option both for those who already have children and are simply looking to enlarge their family, as well as for those who may have been unsuccessful in conceiving naturally or through in vitro fertilization.

The adoption process is certainly an eye-opening experience, and a potentially drawn-out one depending on the circumstances of your particular situation. Still, parents who are successful in their hopes of adoption seldom lament the wait or procedural steps involved in helping them fulfill their dreams of parenthood. This article explores some of the primary components of the adoption process.

Choosing Adoption Type & Service Provider

Once you and your spouse have decided to make the commitment to adopting, it is important to consider the exact adoption route you plan on pursuing. This is primarily a decision regarding whether you and your partner want to adopt internationally or domestically, and whether you're looking to adopt a newborn infant or an older child out of foster care.

Once you've decided, you need to find a service provider to help you along the way. This could be a social worker, an adoption agency, or even an adoption attorney. The choice is simply a personal preference, but there is no question that you will need someone to assist you as move through the various stages of the adoption process.

Completing A Homestudy

Prospective parents are normally asked to complete a homestudy prior to the child's arrival. A homestudy is essentially a formal evaluation of your home life and standing in the community. Adopting parents are asked to submit documents regarding their personal health, financial stability, and any criminal records they may possess.

Additionally, a social worker will interview both parents concerning matters of discipline, childhood fears and memories, and other values the prospective parents may esteem or refute. Understanding parents' psychological states is important in determining whether or not the couple is truly prepared for child rearing.

Finding Your Child

Once your homestudy has been approved, you can begin searching for a child. This part of the adoption process is, without a question, the most time consuming, as expecting mothers may go back and forth in their decision to relinquish guardianship of their newborn, even if the parents and expectant mother have been in contact during the pregnancy.

For those adopting internationally, complications concerning visas or foreign governments can stall the adoption process indefinitely. Likewise, parents electing to adopt from a foster home might see resistance from biological parents who have recently decided to pursue custody of their child for one reason or another.

Ultimately, while adoption is a selfless act of kindness, prospective parents often experience many hurdles throughout the process. Still, for those who are determined to see it through to the end, the obstacles and challenges that arise simply make success that much sweeter in the end.

For more information, contact a local adoption agency, like Hope's Promise.